Thread: Costuming no's?

These suggestions are not just for beginning students' very first show, but for students at a variety of levels who may get or are getting to the point where they want to make additional costuming purchases.

An easy way to resolve these woes is to provide students with costumes. They don't have to be extravagant, they can be matching/somewhat uniform, and it saves a lot of bloopers

Originally Posted by ssipes

Neither of these have been suggested in this thread.

I do feel that costume requirements for a student recital should be much lower than for a troupe. Your suggestions are ideal for a troupe, and good for a class that has a lot of lead time before their recital - but they might be a little ambitious for a class that has one or two months to get their costumes together.

Brea has often posted about how individual income in her part of the state is lower than in my part of the state. Sewing/alteration skills are not universal, and she's only had her class for about a year. Matching items take time and $$ to purchase or make, and alterations take time and skill (or more $$) to do. I might be willing to spend half a month's food budget on professional alterations so I don't screw up my fancy skirt trying to alter it myself, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect beginner-level students to tailor their costumes beyond what's required for modesty, especially if they only have a few weeks to obtain a costume to begin with.

Probably the easiest solution for a student recital is black pants, a hip scarf, and some kind of tie top. Black pants can come in a variety of prices, most people own at least one hip scarf and would probably loan out their spares, and the tie tops can be fairly cheap.

I totally agree with the halter bra comment made by Shira. I am barely an A, and dont need any "support" from a bra, however. . . I got a Bella and decided I did not want to worry about the straps sliding off my shoulder, so I converted it to a halter (which I also found to be more flattering) - fit great, felt great, looked great.

Then, I practiced in it for a matter of minutes. . . as in, not even a whole song, and felt a "thunk" in my neck (I was not even turning my head when this happened), and then a sensation of liquid fire running up onto the base of may skull and down my back. It was weeks before I was "right" again. (I had this happen once before, when was straining to look up while hanging a shower curtain). . . never again for halters for me!

One thing I want to throw into the mix here as well is that teachers can't always predict WHEN their students may choose to perform. (Back when I was in level 1, a fellow student decided to perform at a neighborhood event after about 12 weeks of class.) So I also suggest not waiting too long before you have your first little presentation on good ideas/bad ideas in costumes.

However... you can't teach taste. Some people just don't have a clue, and it doesn't matter what you say. All you can do is make an effort... and if that woman with the DD's thinks braless is a good look on her, you are stuck with it. ;-)

I agree with giving positive ideas not No -no's. I disike butterfly tops but I have seen them worn well. Mostly they are not good when support is neglected.
So i would say:
make sure your "scaffolding" is sufficient,
make sure skirts are looong not half way up your calf,
keep it simple to start with
you don't have to spend a fortune
if we are talking class costume, make sure you look like a class or troupe and not a mish-mash
try to find a style or colour or both that flatters every one
make something that is practical and can be utilised in the future.

My classes recent costume was black jazz pants, black top and similar coined hip scarves. They are planning on simple circle skirts next. Predictable yes! safe yes! Much outlay no! Suitable not just for the routine but all the different body shapes.

Originally Posted by da Sage

I do feel that costume requirements for a student recital should be much lower than for a troupe. Your suggestions are ideal for a troupe, and good for a class that has a lot of lead time before their recital - but they might be a little ambitious for a class that has one or two months to get their costumes together.

They are still useful ideas to expose student to because even in a class in which most people don't have alot of money, a few might have more disposable income AND be interested in buying costume-y items. What is wrong with the teacher providing her expertise should they want to do that?

There is a big difference between telling a student she has to purchase a bedlah, and providing information along the lines of "here is what you need to know before you consider buying a bedlah".

Brea has often posted about how individual income in her part of the state is lower than in my part of the state. Sewing/alteration skills are not universal, and she's only had her class for about a year. Matching items take time and $$ to purchase or make, and alterations take time and skill (or more $$) to do. I might be willing to spend half a month's food budget on professional alterations so I don't screw up my fancy skirt trying to alter it myself, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect beginner-level students to tailor their costumes beyond what's required for modesty, especially if they only have a few weeks to obtain a costume to begin with.

Well, my point is that if students are going to buy anything at all, either at the request of their teacher or through their own choice, it should be something that fits well and looks nice on them and doesn't NEED alterations that are beyond their skill level.

This is not a radical idea.

My point regarding the skirts is that you tell students about circle skirts BEFORE they go out and purchase a circle skirt that is the wrong length. Students need to know things like "If this costume piece doesn't fit me correctly and if I don't have the skills to fix it, maybe I shouldn't buy it."

Do most of you wear shoes while performing?
I'm usually more comfortable barefoot... but since it seems to be a no-no for some of you, I was just wondering.

If so, what type of shoes do you wear? Link & pics please?

Thanks!.w.:

Originally Posted by _Maeva_

Do most of you wear shoes while performing?
I'm usually more comfortable barefoot... but since it seems to be a no-no for some of you, I was just wondering.

If so, what type of shoes do you wear? Link & pics please?

Thanks!.w.:

Hi Maeva -- there have been some recent discussions about shoes -- you could start here:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ighlight=shoes

You could use the Search function and look for "shoes" in the thread titles, too.

Originally Posted by tigerb

Hi Maeva -- there have been some recent discussions about shoes -- you could start here:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...ighlight=shoes

You could use the Search function and look for "shoes" in the thread titles, too.

thanks a lot!
I'll check these out. ,r:;

Wow, thanks everyone! This is a great thread.

I should have mentioned that I also include 'do's' for them as well. Thanks to Sedonia for the suggestions! I also prefer a more uniform look for groups of dancers, be they student or troupe.

I do agree with you, also, daSage, we are none of us rich up here and the only person in my family that can really sew is my father. ..g.: However, I think there are inexpensive ways to costume well with at least a theme running through it.

My biggest concern is ill-fitting costumes purchased off of ebay for $1 plus shipping, or costumes that are tasteless (although I agree that you can't teach someone taste that doesn't already have some). A question - I own a Desert Swirls costume, does this qualify as a Nipple Tassle? It's very pretty but I did wonder!

Regarding halters - I also enjoy them and find them flattering, but I'm aware that I should probably have someone (not my dad!) do surgery on them so they can be changed to T-shapes or Xs. I'm interested in the use of butterfly tops; I'd always been told they were a big no (but I admit I used to own one)! What gives?

As far as new troupe costumes, I insist on the LRose troupe costume. Pants, skirt, half top (or full top, but it isn't part of the deal), and veil. Then they have to get their own hip scarf.
I insist on this and only once allowed someone with a very low income and a very high level of sewing experience to make their own. The tops a full coverage and I tell them if they choose chiffon pants, they need an opaque skirt, and if not, they MUST get matching dance briefs.

Recently, I tried to get my students to get Neckelmann's costumes. I relented and let people get what they wanted and that was a mistake. There were two very nice handmade sets, one Neckelmann's, and the rest were not what I envisioned.
Gotta stick to your guns.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Well, except for the costumes that have mesh-covered cutouts in places that the briefs would show. No one wants to see your briefs through the "naked" cutouts.

your right

Alrana

I think the "must shave your pits" rule is a little.... mean. I honestly never noticed Unmata didn't shave their pits until like my 4th workshop/show with them. Not shaving your pits to "look good" is like saying you cant be fat or something. Its just "au natural" right?

Originally Posted by tigerb

(I think one thing that people don't think about is that 99% of students don't have a full length mirror at home such that they can see the whole costume while it is MOVING.) Keeping this a positive experience means your students will come back to you for more advice.

Tigerb, you've been to my house! I have terrible lighting in my bathroom (not really encouraging for a person who hasn't worn makeup for 20 years.) And I have one little 24x12 mirror that does not provide a full-length view at all.

I'm considering putting in mirrors in one wall area but it isn't a thing that will happen very fast. Meanwhile, my only full-length mirror is in the practice studio.

Student costuming: Jazz pants, hip scarf and a fitted tee shirt. You can match the to the hip scarf or the jazz pants. If you want to get fancy, you get tee's with the studio's names on them!

Student troupe: taking it up a notch, add a circle skirt and a choli. Once again, coordinate it the way you want.

Student troupe which is performing more than once in a while: Now is the time to get bedlahs. They can be Necklemann's or similar. Of Desert Swirl type costume. Another option is a galabaya / Saidi dress with a hip scarf.

And from there it goes upwards depending on what the group or individual is able to afford, how often they are performing and what they are performing to.

Shoes: When I am dancing by myself I wear them. when I dance with a group - not often any more - I will go with what ever the group decides.

The main do's and don't for me is a good fit, decent quality, and something which you can build on. Alterations are not hard. they do take some time and knowledge of basic sewing. And patience!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by midnight_star56

I think the "must shave your pits" rule is a little.... mean. I honestly never noticed Unmata didn't shave their pits until like my 4th workshop/show with them. Not shaving your pits to "look good" is like saying you cant be fat or something. Its just "au natural" right?

Check out Shira's comment that links to her site where she has an article about this. She hits it right on the nose.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I
Yes, I've known some long-time dancers who have suffered numbness or pain shooting down their arms as a result of long-term pressure on the neck from halter bras. Even small-busted dancers put themselves at risk by wearing halter bras, because the decoration on the cups (beaded fringe, coins, etc.) can be quite heavy and place stress on the neck.

Yes it CAN happen, I used to wear halter style tops all the time but now I can't stand ANY pressure at the back of my neck.

But, if the base bra is designed to be worn strapless, and you can put the bra on without hooking the neckstrap, and dance around without slippage or sagging, then you should be able to adjust the neckstrap so that it puts only minimal pressure on the back of the neck.

Originally Posted by nadyasidhe

Tigerb, you've been to my house! I have terrible lighting in my bathroom (not really encouraging for a person who hasn't worn makeup for 20 years.) And I have one little 24x12 mirror that does not provide a full-length view at all.

I'm considering putting in mirrors in one wall area but it isn't a thing that will happen very fast. Meanwhile, my only full-length mirror is in the practice studio.

My full length mirror is on a stairs landing. So I have 4 sq feet to move around in to check my costume.

I have now developed a "buddy system" on costumes -- a dance pal and I always "dress rehearse" for each other to warn about uneven hems, weird decoration placement, fit oddness, et cetera. A different pair of eyes is so useful! (My husband, bless him, always just says "you look great".)

No bindis!

No bare bellies for folk pieces.

No wrap around coin belts for non-folkloric dance.

Originally Posted by midnight_star56

I think the "must shave your pits" rule is a little.... mean. I honestly never noticed Unmata didn't shave their pits until like my 4th workshop/show with them. Not shaving your pits to "look good" is like saying you cant be fat or something. Its just "au natural" right?

I agree - I think this is part of the squeemish we aren't really mammals just angels in corporal bodies schtick. Yes, some of the GP don't like it - but then some don't like breasts, some don't like legs, some don't like blondes, some don't like those big capped teeth, some don't like belly dancers.

Clean yes - shaved - up to you.

You can always trim the armpit hair. It only takes minutes to crop it and makes it a lot less visible than 3" long bush. It also won't itch like shaving if you are not used to that.

find some thing that is flatering to there figure as well as something that makes them feel pretty and comfortable.secure the skirts and bras and lift those puppies up!

Originally Posted by kashmir

I agree - I think this is part of the squeemish we aren't really mammals just angels in corporal bodies schtick. Yes, some of the GP don't like it - but then some don't like breasts, some don't like legs, some don't like blondes, some don't like those big capped teeth, some don't like belly dancers.

Clean yes - shaved - up to you.

Thank you!
I thought it was just me that had a problem with this. I do shave when I perform but not otherwise and I don't like to. I have eventually accepted to do it as "part of the costume" but I hate how it feels. I also get really annoyed with the general hysteric hair-phobia. Like hair is the most disgusting thing on earth and has to be extinguished?! Woops, a mini-rant!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

[another] option, similar to Hala's T-strap suggestion but providing even more support to the neck, is to run two straps in the back from behind the neck (attached on either side of the halter closure) down to the band, making an upside-down V in the back.

My most favoritest bedlah is made very similarly to this description. It really does provide the *look* of the halter, which is soooo flattering, with greater support for the "girls" without the stress on the neck.

Deborah

Shira, would you always advise against halter-style, or is it less of a concern when there's less stress on the neck strap? (e.g., simpler tops of comfy fabric rather than heavy ones with coins/beads; the cup size being supported by the halter strap)

EDIT: whoops, looks like this was already covered...

Originally Posted by ozma

You'll have to pry mine (once I buy it this weekend) from my cold, dead, hands.

Mine too. I never have a bare navel anymore.

But puleeze, shave your armpits (and the naughty bits, if necessary!). ,r:;

Regarding navel jewels....

I don't have a problem with navel piercings and the jewelry that goes with them.

My objection to navel jewels is confined to the glue-in type such as those included with "harem girl" Halloween costumes and the like.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Regarding navel jewels....

I don't have a problem with navel piercings and the jewelry that goes with them.

My objection to navel jewels is confined to the glue-in type such as those included with "harem girl" Halloween costumes and the like.

Can I ask why? Or is the glue not healthy maybe?